For what it's worth, French paper L'Equipe is reporting that the German press is reporting that Milan and Schalke have agreed terms for Rafinha to transfer in January.

Should have bought him a month earlier =/ (if that rumor is true)

We bought a RB? While in summer we were looking for a LB. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

They are different. You don't just go out on the market and say I want a fullback. Besides Oddo started looking better in Marseille. What if by December he's as good as the Oddo who played for us in the 2006-07 season!

Basically I would have preferred a LB is what I meant to say.

We were reportedly looking at De Silvestri (RB) and Bale (LB)... you probably did not notice but it was crazy right from the start. We were always after a fullback... just like that, we did not care who or where. It's crazy. We bought and let go of Cissokho but then De Silvestri was the one mentioned even by Leo.

In my view Oddo is still at that level which is a level of mediocrity and exactly why we're looking to replace him...

Criscito (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Is he a LB or a RB? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

He's everything you want him to be...and more (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Its verbal. The fee was already set a while back. But were not the only club in it. Magath mentioned bayern a while back, so were going to have to fight for this one.


Raf fee=8-12m---A huge bargain imo. Yes there is italian options out there but he is by far the best Fullback option we have and at that price we should not hesitate. He's 23 and is the next alves.

As Han said earlier, he doesn't have his eu pass (my bad) so its either him or dzeko. Personally I think rafinha is more important in January and Dzeko can come in the summer market. That will give us time to take out the trash.


Also, we dont' need to worry about dzeko deal. He's pretty much set his mind on Milan. No other club really has a chance unless we say we don't want him.



This post has been edited by Bluesummers: Sep 20 2009, 10:13 AM

I'm pretty sure Bayern have backed out of the deal completely. The deal was announced and then called off. LaPalma, what can you add on this?

Rafinha would be great. But above all, I think we need a midfielder. A utility player if you will, someone who can run for 90 mins and ignites the team. This, considering Gattuso is already in his 30s, injury prone and past his prime.

I heard Hernanes's name affiliated with us on here before, but I would rather we go for an Italian and someone proven at that.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/droolsmiley.gif) i would take him in a heartbeat, he can completely replace ambro/rino as he is a strong tackler with great crosses and a wicked shot (although we already have flamini) we really would do well to take him of inter's hands (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I dunno. Bayern didn't buy him cause Magath wanted too much money. Maybe they'll try to get him again in January, though I doubt it. I think Hoeneß still wants Bosingwa.

Bayern pulled out because shalke asked too much. But magath earlier this month said he'll probably be sold to bayern in January. But were not the only club linked with him. Barca are linked with him as well some english clubs. If his price tag drops, it'll be a war for his signature.

i think your sig is pro-mourinho (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

In a way but not really. Mourinho is already worldclass, he can get a job anywhere. Its in general. People are slowly realizing that players don't always make the best coaches. England and Germany have realized this the most while Italy and Spain are lagging behind in Europe.

They say the biggest problems with these player coaches who try to coach the top levels are this:

1) They are too used to the system. They lose that outside the box/fresh idea attitude. They start doing things that are repititve and work; what they have esentially seen or been taught. That no longer is enough to be a coach.

2) A coach is not just one job, but 100 different little jobs put into one. Not all players can get used to being counceller/coach/friend/father figure etc etc..

3) Tactics are something that are learned over years with personal values and fundamentals added to fully develop them. A player who is used to playing a system for several years may have alot of trouble understanding and adapating many different systems, while a person who hasn't generally has a very strong background in this section.

4) The drive for success. A player who has had the greatest success may not have the same motivation as someone who hasn't been there before. That is why Mourinho is so successful, his drive and concentration are unreal. His passion unmatched.

Anyways there are more points in favor and against this... But these are the big ones which I've come to learn.